Motorola has made a sudden about-turn, hiking up the prices of their mid-range Moto G lineup by as much as 50%. The 2026 Moto G Stylus, which comes with a basic stylus and a larger battery, will cost $500—a full $100 more than its predecessor.

The changes aren’t limited to the new model; the older Moto G Play has seen an increase from $180 to $250 (38% hike), while the 2026 Moto G is now priced at $300, up by a hefty 50%. The top of the range, the Moto G Power, has also jumped from $300 to $400, making it nearly as expensive as Samsung’s mid-range models.

The reasoning behind these price hikes isn’t hard to fathom. Given current hardware conditions, and considering the minor upgrades—such as a slightly larger battery capacity and basic stylus support—it’s difficult to justify such a significant price increase over last year's model. Motorola seems to be following an across-the-board trend of raising prices for their budget lineup.

For consumers, this could mean that budget-friendly smartphones are becoming less affordable while luxury features proliferate. It remains to be seen whether these increases will translate into better value or simply a hike in profits.